Articulatable surgical instrument system

ABSTRACT

An instrument assembly can comprise a shaft comprising a first drive portion of a drive system, an end effector comprising a second drive portion of the drive system, and an articulation joint rotatably connecting the end effector to the shaft. The end effector is rotatable between a first position and a second position about the articulation joint, wherein the first drive portion is not operably engaged with the second drive portion when the end effector is in the first position, and operably engaged with the second drive portion when the end effector is in the second position. The end effector can comprise a first jaw and a second jaw, wherein the first jaw is movable relative to the second jaw between an open position and a closed position within a closure plane, and wherein the end effector is rotatable within an articulation plane which is co-planar with the closure plane.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to stapling instruments and, in variousembodiments, to a surgical stapling instrument for producing one or morerows of staples.

A stapling instrument can include a pair of cooperating elongate jawmembers, wherein each jaw member can be adapted to be inserted into apatient and positioned relative to tissue that is to be stapled and/orincised. In various embodiments, one of the jaw members can support astaple cartridge with at least two laterally spaced rows of staplescontained therein, and the other jaw member can support an anvil withstaple-forming pockets aligned with the rows of staples in the staplecartridge. Generally, the stapling instrument can further include apusher bar and a knife blade which are slidable relative to the jawmembers to sequentially eject the staples from the staple cartridge viacamming surfaces on the pusher bar and/or camming surfaces on a wedgesled that is pushed by the pusher bar. In at least one embodiment, thecamming surfaces can be configured to activate a plurality of stapledrivers carried by the cartridge and associated with the staples inorder to push the staples against the anvil and form laterally spacedrows of deformed staples in the tissue gripped between the jaw members.In at least one embodiment, the knife blade can trail the cammingsurfaces and cut the tissue along a line between the staple rows.Examples of such stapling instruments are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.7,794,475, entitled SURGICAL STAPLES HAVING COMPRESSIBLE OR CRUSHABLEMEMBERS FOR SECURING TISSUE THEREIN AND STAPLING INSTRUMENTS FORDEPLOYING THE SAME, the entire disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference herein.

The foregoing discussion is intended only to illustrate various aspectsof the related art in the field of the invention at the time, and shouldnot be taken as a disavowal of claim scope.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various features of the embodiments described herein are set forth withparticularity in the appended claims. The various embodiments, however,both as to organization and methods of operation, together withadvantages thereof, may be understood in accordance with the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings asfollows:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an end effector of a surgical staplinginstrument illustrating an anvil of the end effector in a closedposition relative to a staple cartridge;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the end effector of FIG. 1 with portionsremoved for the purposes of illustration and, in addition, a firingmember;

FIG. 3 is a detail view of a distal end of the staple cartridge of FIG.1 illustrating the firing member of FIG. 2 positioned within alongitudinal slot defined in the staple cartridge;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a tissue stop positioned in thelongitudinal slot of the staple cartridge of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of the endeffector of FIG. 1 illustrating the firing member of FIG. 2 in afully-fired position;

FIG. 6 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the end effector of FIG.1 taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a detail view of the interface between the tissue stop of FIG.4 and the staple cartridge of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a staple cartridge;

FIG. 9 is a schematic depicting the staple cartridge of FIG. 1 beingutilized to staple and transect the gastrointestinal tract of a patientat a first location and the staple cartridge of FIG. 8 being utilized tostaple and transect the gastrointestinal tract of the patient at asecond location which divides the patient's gastrointestinal tract intoan upper portion, a transected portion, and a lower portion during asurgical technique;

FIG. 10 is a schematic depicting another step of the surgical techniquedepicted in FIG. 9 wherein an anvil of a circular staple is positionedin the upper portion of the gastrointestinal tract and a shaft of thecircular stapler positioned in the lower portion of the gastrointestinaltract;

FIG. 11 is a schematic depicting another step of the surgical techniquedepicted in FIG. 9 wherein the upper portion and the lower portion ofthe patient's gastrointestinal tract are compressed between the anviland the shaft of the circular stapler of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a schematic depicting staples deployed from the shaft of thecircular stapler of FIG. 10 to fasten the upper portion and the lowerportion of the patient's gastrointestinal tract and form an anastomosistherebetween;

FIG. 13 is a transverse cross-sectional view of an end effector inaccordance with at least one alternative embodiment comprising arotatable shaft configured to drive a staple-firing sled within the endeffector;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a surgical stapling instrumentcomprising an end effector, a shaft, and an articulation jointconfigured to permit the end effector to rotate relative to the shaft,wherein the end effector is illustrated in a closed, unarticulated, andunfired configuration;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the surgical staplinginstrument of FIG. 14 illustrating the end effector in the configurationillustrated in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is an exploded top perspective view of the surgical staplinginstrument of FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the surgical staplinginstrument of FIG. 14;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the surgical staplinginstrument of FIG. 14 illustrating the end effector in the configurationillustrated in FIG. 14;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the surgical staplinginstrument of FIG. 14 illustrating the end effector in a closed,articulated, and unfired configuration;

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the surgical staplinginstrument of FIG. 14 illustrating the end effector in a open,articulated, and unfired configuration;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the surgical stapling instrument ofFIG. 14 and a staple cartridge positioned in the end effector, whereinthe end effector is illustrated in an open, articulated, and unfiredconfiguration;

FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view of the staple cartridge of FIG.21;

FIG. 23 is a schematic depicting the staple cartridge of FIG. 21 beingpositioned relative to the colon of a patient by the surgical staplinginstrument of FIG. 14;

FIG. 24 is a schematic depicting the staple cartridge of FIG. 21 beingslid relative to the colon of the patient;

FIG. 25 is an elevational view of the surgical stapling instrument ofFIG. 14 illustrated in a closed, articulated, and unfired configurationin use with the staple cartridge of FIG. 21;

FIG. 26 is an elevational view of the surgical stapling instrument ofFIG. 14 illustrated in an open, articulated, and unfired configurationin use with the staple cartridge of FIG. 21;

FIG. 27 is an elevational view of the surgical stapling instrument ofFIG. 14 illustrated in a partially-closed, articulated, and unfiredconfiguration in use with the staple cartridge of FIG. 21; and

FIG. 28 is an elevational view of the surgical stapling instrument ofFIG. 14 illustrated in a closed, articulated, and fired configuration inuse with the staple cartridge of FIG. 21.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views. The exemplifications set out hereinillustrate various embodiments of the invention, in one form, and suchexemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of theinvention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the overall structure, function, manufacture, and useof the embodiments as described in the specification and illustrated inthe accompanying drawings. It will be understood by those skilled in theart, however, that the embodiments may be practiced without suchspecific details. In other instances, well-known operations, components,and elements have not been described in detail so as not to obscure theembodiments described in the specification. Those of ordinary skill inthe art will understand that the embodiments described and illustratedherein are non-limiting examples, and thus it can be appreciated thatthe specific structural and functional details disclosed herein may berepresentative and illustrative. Variations and changes thereto may bemade without departing from the scope of the claims.

The terms “comprise” (and any form of comprise, such as “comprises” and“comprising”), “have” (and any form of have, such as “has” and“having”), “include” (and any form of include, such as “includes” and“including”) and “contain” (and any form of contain, such as “contains”and “containing”) are open-ended linking verbs. As a result, a surgicalsystem, device, or apparatus that “comprises,” “has,” “includes” or“contains” one or more elements possesses those one or more elements,but is not limited to possessing only those one or more elements.Likewise, an element of a system, device, or apparatus that “comprises,”“has,” “includes” or “contains” one or more features possesses those oneor more features, but is not limited to possessing only those one ormore features.

The terms “proximal” and “distal” are used herein with reference to aclinician manipulating the handle portion of the surgical instrument.The term “proximal” referring to the portion closest to the clinicianand the term “distal” referring to the portion located away from theclinician. It will be further appreciated that, for convenience andclarity, spatial terms such as “vertical”, “horizontal”, “up”, and“down” may be used herein with respect to the drawings. However,surgical instruments are used in many orientations and positions, andthese terms are not intended to be limiting and/or absolute.

Various exemplary devices and methods are provided for performinglaparoscopic and minimally invasive surgical procedures. However, theperson of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that thevarious methods and devices disclosed herein can be used in numeroussurgical procedures and applications including, for example, inconnection with open surgical procedures. As the present DetailedDescription proceeds, those of ordinary skill in the art will furtherappreciate that the various instruments disclosed herein can be insertedinto a body in any way, such as through a natural orifice, through anincision or puncture hole formed in tissue, etc. The working portions orend effector portions of the instruments can be inserted directly into apatient's body or can be inserted through an access device that has aworking channel through which the end effector and elongated shaft of asurgical instrument can be advanced.

A surgical stapling system 100 is depicted in FIGS. 1-7. Referringprimarily to FIG. 1, the surgical stapling system 100 comprises a shaft120 and an end effector 110 extending from the shaft 120. The endeffector 110 comprises a first jaw 112 and a second jaw 114. The firstjaw 112 comprises a staple cartridge 140. The staple cartridge 140 isinsertable into and removable from the first jaw 112; however, otherembodiments are envisioned in which a staple cartridge is not removablefrom, or at least readily replaceable from, the first jaw 112. Thesecond jaw 114 comprises an anvil 130 configured to deform staplesejected from the staple cartridge 140. The second jaw 114 is pivotablerelative to the first jaw 112 about a closure axis 131; however, otherembodiments are envisioned in which first jaw 112 is pivotable relativeto the second jaw 114. The surgical stapling system 100 furthercomprises an articulation joint 150 configured to permit the endeffector 110 to be rotated, or articulated, relative to the shaft 120.The end effector 110 is rotatable about an articulation axis 151extending through the articulation joint 150. The articulation axis 151is orthogonal to a longitudinal axis 121 of the shaft 120 and alongitudinal axis 111 of the end effector 110.

Referring primarily to FIG. 2, the staple cartridge 140 comprises acartridge body 142. The cartridge body 142 includes a proximal end 148,a distal end 149, and a deck 141 extending between the proximal end 148and the distal end 149. In use, the staple cartridge 140 is positionedon a first side of the tissue to be stapled and the anvil 130 ispositioned on a second side of the tissue. The anvil 130 is moved towardthe staple cartridge 140 to compress and clamp the tissue against thedeck 141. Thereafter, staples removably stored in the cartridge body 142can be deployed into the tissue. The cartridge body 142 includes staplecavities 145 defined therein wherein staples 185 (FIG. 10) are removablystored in the staple cavities 145. The staple cavities 145 are arrangedin six longitudinal rows. Three rows of staple cavities 145 arepositioned on a first side of a longitudinal slot 143 and three rows ofstaple cavities 145 are positioned on a second side of the longitudinalslot 143. Other arrangements of staple cavities 145 and staples 185 maybe possible.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the staples 185 are supported by stapledrivers 180 in the cartridge body 142. The drivers 180 are movablebetween a first, or unfired position, and a second, or fired, positionto eject the staples 185 from the staple cavities 145. The drivers 180are retained in the cartridge body 142 by a retainer 144 which extendsaround the bottom of the cartridge body 142 and includes resilientmembers 147 configured to grip the cartridge body 142 and hold theretainer 144 to the cartridge body 142. The drivers 180 are movablebetween their unfired positions and their fired positions by a sled 170.The sled 170 is movable between a proximal position adjacent theproximal end 148 and a distal position adjacent the distal end 149. Thesled 170 comprises a plurality of ramped surfaces 175 configured toslide under the drivers 180 and lift the drivers 180, and the staples185 supported thereon, toward the anvil 130.

Further to the above, the sled 170 is moved distally by a firing member160. The firing member 160 is configured to contact the sled 170 andpush the sled 170 toward the distal end 149. The longitudinal slot 143defined in the cartridge body 142 is configured to receive the firingmember 160. Referring primarily to FIG. 5, the anvil 130 also includes aslot 134 configured to receive the firing member 160. The firing member160 further comprises a first cam 162 which engages the first jaw 112and a second cam 164 which engages the second jaw 114. As the firingmember 160 is advanced distally, the first cam 162 and the second cam164 can control the distance, or tissue gap, between the deck 141 of thestaple cartridge 140 and the anvil 130. The firing member 160 alsocomprises a knife 163 configured to incise the tissue capturedintermediate the staple cartridge 140 and the anvil 130. It is desirablefor the knife 163 to be positioned at least partially proximal to theramped surfaces 175 such that the staples 185 are ejected ahead of theknife 163.

Further to the above, the knife 163 applies a longitudinal force to thetissue as the firing member 160 is moved distally toward the distal end149. It should be understood that, while the knife 163 transects thetissue as the firing member 160 is moved distally, the knife 163 mayalso push the tissue distally toward the distal end 149 of the staplecartridge 140. In various circumstances, as a result, a portion of thetissue that the surgeon intended to staple may not be stapled. Asdiscussed in greater detail below, the surgical stapling system 100includes a tissue stop configured to impede and/or prevent the flow oftissue out of the distal end of the surgical stapling system 100.

Referring primarily to FIGS. 3 and 4, the staple cartridge 140 includesa tissue stop 190. The tissue stop 190 is positioned in the longitudinalslot 143 defined in the cartridge body 142. More specifically, thetissue stop 190 includes a pin portion 198 positioned in a pin aperture146 defined in the longitudinal slot 143. The pin portion 198 is closelyreceived in the pin aperture 146. The tissue stop 190 further includes ahead 192 which extends above the deck 141. In various instances,referring primarily to FIG. 6, the anvil 130 can directly contact, orabut, the head 192 of the tissue stop 190. In such instances, the tissuestop 190 can comprise an anvil stop. In some such instances, which aredescribed in greater detail further below, the anvil 130 and the tissuestop 190 can trap tissue between the anvil 130 and the staple cartridge140 when the anvil 130 is moved into a closed position. In othercircumstances, tissue may be positioned intermediate the head 192 of thetissue stop 190 and the anvil 130. In some such circumstances, the anvil130 can compress the tissue against the tissue stop 190 when the anvil130 is moved into a closed position. Alternative embodiments areenvisioned in which the staple cartridge is movable relative to theanvil. In such circumstances, the tissue stop can be moved toward thetissue when the surgical stapling system is closed.

As discussed above, the knife 163 can push the tissue toward the tissuestop 190 as the knife 163 transects the tissue. The tissue stop 190 caninhibit and/or prevent the longitudinal flow of the tissue. The tissuestop 190 can dam the longitudinal flow of tissue. When the firing member160 is moved from its proximal-most position toward its distal-mostposition (FIG. 5), the tissue can be pushed against the tissue stop 190wherein an internal pressure and/or structural impedance can begenerated within the tissue. The tissue stop 190 can provide a backstop.The head 192 of the tissue stop 190 is longitudinally-aligned with theknife 163 such that the tissue stop 190 can stop the flow of tissuealong the cutting path of the knife 163. The tissue stop 190 includes adetent 196 configured to hold the tissue stop 190 in the pin aperture146. The detent 196 can comprise one or more annular lips extendingaround the tissue stop 190 which are engaged with an edge defined on thecartridge body 142, for example. The detent 196 can inhibit the tissuestop 190 from lifting out of the pin aperture 146. In variousembodiments, the tissue stop 190 and the pin aperture 146 can beconfigured and arranged such that the tissue stop 190 does not moverelative to the cartridge deck 141. Other embodiments are envisioned inwhich the tissue stop 190 can move relative to the cartridge deck 141.

As the firing member 160 is advanced distally toward the tissue stop190, as discussed above, the knife 163 can approach the tissue stop 190.The tissue stop 190 comprises a slot, or catch, 194 defined thereinconfigured to at least partially receive the knife 163. In variousinstances, the knife 163 can abut the head 192 of the tissue stop 190when the firing member 160 has reached its distal-most position. Whenthe knife 163 contacts the tissue stop 190, the tissue stop 190 can alsoserve as a knife stop. When the knife 163 is in contact with the tissuestop 190, the firing member 160 can be prevented from being advancedfurther distally. In the event that the firing member 160 is beingadvanced by a manually-actuated firing trigger extending from the handleof the surgical instrument, the surgeon operating the surgicalinstrument can sense that the firing member 160 has been fully advancedwhen the knife 163 contacts the tissue stop 160. At such point, thesurgeon can operate the surgical instrument to retract the firing member160. In the event that the firing member 160 is being advanced by anelectric motor, a computer or processor operating the electric motor canbe configured to detect a sudden increase in force experienced by thefiring member 160 and/or a sudden increase in torque generated by theelectric motor and, in response thereto, determine that the firingstroke of the firing member 160 has been completed and/or automaticallyretract the firing member 160 proximally.

The tissue stop 190 is comprised of plastic, for example; however, thetissue stop 190 can be comprised of any suitable material. When thetissue stop 190 is configured to serve as a knife stop, the tissue stop190 can be comprised of a material that can resist, or at leastsubstantially resist, the incising force applied thereto by the knife163. When the knife 163 is not readily replaceable, it is desirable tofabricate the tissue stop 190 out of a material that will not damage theknife 163. The knife 163 may not be readily replaceable when the knife163 is part of the surgical stapling instrument, and not part of thereplaceable cartridge. When the knife 163 is, in fact, part of thereplaceable cartridge, damage to the knife 163 from contacting thetissue stop 190 may be less of a concern as the damage to the knife 163would not occur until the end of the firing stroke and the knife 163would not be used to cut tissue thereafter.

In addition to or in lieu of the tissue stop 190 acting as a knife stop,referring again to FIG. 5, the distal end 149 of the cartridge body 142can serve as a distal stop for the firing member 160. More specifically,the firing member 160 can push the sled 170 distally until it contactsan interior distal wall 172 of the distal end 149 and, at such point,the distal advancement of the firing member 160, and the sled 170, canbe impeded.

In various instances, further to the above, the tissue stop 190 may notdeflect or displace downwardly within the pin aperture 146. In suchinstances, the tissue stop 190 can withstand the downward clamping forceapplied thereto when the anvil 130 is moved into a closed position and,in addition, the downward compression force applied thereto when theanvil 130 is moved downwardly toward the cartridge 140 by the firingmember 160. As discussed above, the firing member 160 comprises a firstcam 162 configured to engage the first jaw 112 and a second cam 164configured to engage the second jaw 114 wherein, when the firing member160 is advanced distally, the firing member 160 can pull the anvil 130toward the cartridge 140 and apply a compressive force to, one, thetissue captured between the anvil 130 and the cartridge 140 and, two,the tissue stop 190. The compressive force applied to the tissue stop190 by the firing member 160 can increase as the firing member 160 isadvanced distally. For instance, the firing member 160 can apply aninitial compressive force to the tissue stop 190 at the beginning of thefiring stroke and a maximum compressive force to the tissue stop 190when the firing member 160 reaches the end of its firing stroke. Theinteraction between the detent 196 and the cartridge body 142 can besufficient to support the tissue stop 190 in position throughout thefiring stroke of the firing member 160.

In various other instances, further to the above, the tissue stop 190may deflect and/or displace downwardly within the pin aperture 146. Thetissue stop 190 can be slidably mounted in the pin aperture 146, forexample. In at least one instance, the tissue stop 190 can withstand thedownward clamping force applied thereto when the anvil 130 is moved intoa closed position and then deflect and/or displace downwardly during thefiring stroke of the firing member 160. In some instances, the tissuestop 190 can deflect and/or displace downwardly as a result of theinitial compressive force applied to the tissue stop 190 at thebeginning of the firing stroke of the firing member 160. In suchinstances, the tissue stop 190 comprises a feature which resistsrecessing under a load less than the load experienced during the firingstroke. In certain instances, the tissue stop 190 can deflect and/ordisplace downwardly as a result of the maximum compressive force appliedto the tissue stop 190 at the end of the firing stroke of the firingmember 160. In other instances, the tissue stop 190 can deflect and/ordisplace downwardly when the firing member 160 is between the beginningand the end of the firing stroke. In embodiments including the detent196, the detent 196 can be configured to hold the tissue stop 190 inposition until the compressive force applied to the tissue stop 190exceeds a threshold force. At such point, the detent 196 can be defeatedand the tissue stop 190 can move downwardly into the pin aperture 146.In various embodiments, the head 192 of the tissue stop 190 may recedeentirely below the deck 141 of the cartridge 140 while, in otherembodiments, the head 192 may not recede entirely below the deck 141.Even though the tissue stop 190 may give way during the firing stroke ofthe firing member 160, the tissue stop 190 may still perform thefunction of preventing and/or limiting the distal flow of the tissuebefore it gives way. At such point, a portion of the firing stroke, andpossibly a large portion of the firing stroke, may have been completed.

In addition to or in lieu of the detent 196, a support can be positionedunder the tissue stop 190 to prevent the tissue stop 190 from deflectingand/or displacing downwardly. The support can be pushed distally by thefiring member 160 during the firing stroke of the firing member 160 suchthat the support no longer supports the tissue stop 190 and, as aresult, the tissue stop 190 can give way or recess during the firingstroke of the firing member 160, as discussed above. In variousinstances, the support can be pushed out of the way at the end of thefiring stroke of the firing member 160, for example. In other instances,the support can be pushed out of the way prior to the end of the firingstroke of the firing member 160. The support can be comprised of foam,for example. In various instances, the support can be comprised of aresilient material which can permit the tissue stop 190 to partiallyrecess under a compressive load until the support is pushed out fromunderneath the tissue stop 190. In certain instances, the support can becomprised of a rigid material which does not permit the tissue stop 190to recess, or at least substantially recess, until the support is pushedout from underneath the tissue stop 190.

The tissue stop 190 further comprises a slot 193 defined therein. Theslot 193 is a clearance slot configured to receive a portion of thefiring member 160 as the firing member 160 moves distally.

The head 192 of the tissue stop 190 can comprise any suitableconfiguration. In various instances, the head 192 can comprise asubstantially cylindrical configuration, for example. In some instances,the head 192 can comprise a substantially rectangular configuration, forexample. Such a rectangular shape can utilize the space in between theinnermost rows of drivers and can be guided by the side walls of thecartridge slot 143. The head 192 can comprise rounded edges and/orsurfaces which can reduce the pressure or stress applied to the tissue.

Referring again to the staple cartridge 140 depicted in FIG. 2, thestaple cavities 145 defined in the staple cartridge 140 are arranged inthree parallel rows on a first side of the longitudinal slot 143 whichare parallel to the longitudinal slot 143 and three parallel rows on asecond side of the longitudinal slot 143 which are also parallel to thelongitudinal slot 143. On each side of the longitudinal slot 143, afirst row of staple cavities 184′ is adjacent the longitudinal slot 143,a second row of staple cavities 184″ is adjacent the first row of staplecavities 184′, and a third row of staple cavities 184′″ is adjacent thesecond row of staple cavities 184″. The staple cavities 145 deploy anarray of staples which include overlapping staples. With particularregard to the staple cavities 145 in the first row of staple cavities184′, a gap is present between adjacent staple cavities 145 within thefirst row 184′; however, such gaps are laterally overlapped by staplecavities 145 in the second row of staple cavities 184″. Similarly, a gapis present between adjacent staple cavities 145 in the second row ofstaple cavities 184″ wherein such gaps are laterally overlapped bystaple cavities 185 in the third row of staple cavities 184′″.

A staple cartridge 240 is depicted in FIG. 8. The staple cartridge 240is similar to the staple cartridge 140 in many respects and can be usedas part of the surgical stapling system 100 discussed above. When astaple cartridge 240 is used with the surgical stapling system 100, sucha system can be referred to as a surgical stapling system 200 (FIG. 9).The staple cartridge 240 comprises a cartridge body 242, a deck 241defined on the cartridge body 242, a longitudinal slot 243, a proximalend 248, and a distal end 249. The cartridge body 242 includes aplurality of first staple cavities 245 a, a plurality of second staplecavities 245 b, and a plurality of third staple cavities 245 c definedtherein. The first staple cavities 245 a each include a first staple 285a removably stored therein. The second staple cavities 245 b eachinclude a second staple 285 b removably stored therein. The third staplecavities 245 c each include a third staple 285 c removably storedtherein. The first staples 285 a are different than the second staples285 b and the third staples 285 c. The second staples 285 b aredifferent than the third staples 285 c. The first staples 285 a, thesecond staples 285 b, and the third staples 285 c define an advantageousstaple pattern, as described in greater detail further below.

The staple cavities 245 a-245 c, and the staples 285 a-285 c positionedtherein, are arranged in three longitudinal rows on a first side of thelongitudinal slot 243 and three longitudinal rows on a second side ofthe longitudinal slot 243. The three longitudinal rows of staplecavities 245 a-245 c, and staples 285 a-285 c, on the second side of thelongitudinal slot 243 are a mirror image of three longitudinal rows ofstaple cavities 245 a-245 c, and staples 285 a-285 c, on the first sideof the longitudinal slot 243; however, alternative embodiments areenvisioned in which the second side is not a mirror image of the firstside. Referring again to FIG. 8, a first longitudinal row of staplecavities 284′ is adjacent the longitudinal slot 283, a secondlongitudinal row of staple cavities 284″ is adjacent the firstlongitudinal row of staple cavities 284′, and a third longitudinal rowof staple cavities 284′″ is adjacent the second longitudinal row ofstaple cavities 284″. The first longitudinal row 284′, the secondlongitudinal row 284″, and the third longitudinal row 284′″ are parallelto each other and to the longitudinal slot 243; however, alternativeembodiments are envisioned in which the first longitudinal row 284′, thesecond longitudinal row 284″, and/or the third longitudinal row 284′″are not parallel to each other and/or to the longitudinal slot 243.

The first longitudinal row 284′ comprises two first staple cavities 245a at a proximal end thereof and, in addition, two first staple cavities245 a at a distal end thereof. A large longitudinal gap is presentbetween the proximal first staple cavities 245 a and the distal firststaple cavities 245 a in the first row 284′. This large longitudinal gapis large enough such that more than one first staple cavity 245 a couldbe positioned therein. Stated another way, if a pattern of first staplecavities 245 a were arranged in the first row 284′ at regular intervals,several of the first staple cavities 245 a are missing, or not present,within the large longitudinal gap. The first longitudinal row of staplecavities 284′ comprises an interruption in the pattern of staplecavities. The interruption comprises an absence of staple cavities. As aresult, the first longitudinal row of staples comprises an interruptionin the pattern of staples. This interruption comprises an absence ofstaples.

Similar to the above, the second longitudinal row 284″ comprises twofirst staple cavities 245 a at a proximal end thereof and, in addition,two first staple cavities 245 a at a distal end thereof. A largelongitudinal gap is present between the proximal first staple cavities245 a and the distal first staple cavities 245 a in the second row 284″.This large longitudinal gap is large enough such that more than onefirst staple cavity 245 a could be positioned therein. Stated anotherway, if a pattern of first staple cavities 245 a were arranged in thesecond row 284″ at regular intervals, several of the first staplecavities 245 a are missing, or not present, within the largelongitudinal gap. The second longitudinal row of staple cavities 284″comprises an interruption in the pattern of staple cavities. Theinterruption comprises and an absence of staple cavities. As a result,the second longitudinal row of staples comprises an interruption in thepattern of staples. This interruption comprises an absence of staples.

The third longitudinal row 284′″ comprises two second staple cavities245 b at a proximal end thereof and, in addition, two second staplecavities 245 b at a distal end thereof. The third row 284′″ furthercomprises third staple cavities 245 c positioned intermediate theproximal second staple cavities 245 b and the distal second staplecavities 245 b. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the third staple cavities 245c are longitudinally wider than the second staple cavities 245 b. Thewider third staple cavities 245 c comprise a disruption in the patternof second staple cavities 245 b in the third row 284′″. The secondstaple cavities 245 b and the third staple cavities 245 c comprise acontinuous, albeit disrupted, pattern of staple cavities. As alsoillustrated in FIG. 8, the third staples 285 c are longitudinally widerthan the second staples 285 b. The wider third staples 285 c comprise adisruption in the pattern of second staples 285 b in the third row284′″. The second staples 285 b and the third staples 285 c comprise acontinuous, albeit disrupted, pattern of staples.

Further to the above, and referring again to FIG. 8, the interruption,or longitudinal gap, in the first row of staple cavities 284′ isaligned, or at least substantially aligned, with the interruption, orlongitudinal gap, in the second row of staple cavities 284″. As alsoillustrated in FIG. 8, the disruption in the third row of staplecavities 284′″ is aligned, or at least substantially aligned, with theinterruption, or longitudinal gap, in the second row of staple cavities284″ and the interruption, or longitudinal gap, in the first row ofstaple cavities 284′. The third row of staple cavities 284′″ includesstaple cavities which span from the proximal end 248 to the distal end249 of the staple cartridge 240 while the first row 284′ and the secondrow 284″ do not.

Referring again to FIG. 8, the first staples 285 a are comprised ofwire, for example. The wire can be comprised of stainless steel and/ortitanium, for example. The wire has a circular cross-section; however,alternative cross-sections may be utilized. Each first staple 285 a cancomprise any suitable configuration such as, for example, a V-shapedconfiguration or a U-shaped configuration. A first staple 285 acomprising a V-shaped configuration can include a base, a first legextending from a first end of the base, and a second leg extending froma second end of the base, wherein the first leg and the second legextend in directions which are non-parallel to one another. A firststaple 285 a comprising a U-shaped configuration can include a base, afirst leg extending from a first end of the base, and a second legextending from a second end of the base, wherein the first leg and thesecond leg extend in directions which are parallel to one another.

The second staples 285 b are comprised of wire, for example. The wirecan be comprised of stainless steel and/or titanium, for example. Thewire has a rectangular cross-section; however, alternativecross-sections may be utilized. Each second staple 285 b can compriseany suitable configuration such as, for example, a V-shapedconfiguration or a U-shaped configuration. A second staple 285 bcomprising a V-shaped configuration can include a base, a first legextending from a first end of the base, and a second leg extending froma second end of the base, wherein the first leg and the second legextend in directions which are non-parallel to one another. A secondstaple 285 b comprising a U-shaped configuration can include a base, afirst leg extending from a first end of the base, and a second legextending from a second end of the base, wherein the first leg and thesecond leg extend in directions which are parallel to one another.

The third staples 285 c are comprised of wire, for example. The wire canbe comprised of stainless steel and/or titanium, for example. The wirehas a circular cross-section; however, alternative cross-sections may beutilized. Each third staple 285 c can comprise any suitableconfiguration such as, for example, a V-shaped configuration or aU-shaped configuration. A third staple 285 c comprising a V-shapedconfiguration can include a base, a first leg extending from a first endof the base, and a second leg extending from a second end of the base,wherein the first leg and the second leg extend in directions which arenon-parallel to one another. A third staple 285 c comprising a U-shapedconfiguration can include a base, a first leg extending from a first endof the base, and a second leg extending from a second end of the base,wherein the first leg and the second leg extend in directions which areparallel to one another.

As discussed above, the third staples 285 c are longitudinally widerthan the second staples 285 b. In various instances, the third staples285 c are twice as wide, longitudinally, than the second staples 285 b,for example. The third staples 285 c can be at least twice as wide,longitudinally, than the second staples 285 b, for example. In someinstances, the third staples 285 c are thrice as wide, longitudinally,than the second staples 285 b, for example. Similar to the above, thethird staples 285 c are longitudinally wider than the first staples 285a. In various instances, the third staples 285 c are twice as wide,longitudinally, than the first staples 285 a, for example. The thirdstaples 285 c can be at least twice as wide, longitudinally, than thefirst staples 285 a, for example. In some instances, the third staples285 c are thrice as wide, longitudinally, than the first staples 285 a,for example. Other embodiments are envisioned in which the first staples285 a, the second staples 285 b, and the third staples 285 c compriseany suitable width.

The second staples 285 b are laterally wider than the third staples 285c. In various instances, the second staples 285 b are twice as wide,laterally, than the third staples 285 c, for example. The second staples285 b can be at least twice as wide, laterally, than the third staples285 c, for example. In some instances, the second staples 285 b arethrice as wide, longitudinally, than the third staples 285 c, forexample. Similar to the above, the second staples 285 b are laterallywider than the first staples 285 a. In various instances, the secondstaples 285 b are twice as wide, laterally, than the first staples 285a, for example. The second staples 285 b can be at least twice as wide,laterally, than the first staples 285 a, for example. In some instances,the second staples 285 b are thrice as wide, laterally, than the firststaples 285 a, for example. The second staples 285 b are comprised ofthicker wire stock than the first staples 285 a and the third staples285 c; however, other embodiments are envisioned in which the firststaples 285 a, the second staples 285 b, and the third staples 285 ccomprise any suitable thickness.

The first staples 285 a, the second staples 285 b, and the third staples285 c have the same unformed height; however, other embodiments areenvisioned in which the first staples 285 a have a different unformedheight than the second staples and/or the third staples. Similarly,other embodiments are envisioned in which the second staples 285 b havea different unformed height than the third staples 285 c. The firststaples 285 a, the second staples 285 b, and the third staples 285 chave the same deformed height; however, other embodiments are envisionedin which the first staples 285 a have a different deformed height thanthe second staples and/or the third staples. Similarly, otherembodiments are envisioned in which the second staples 285 b have adifferent deformed height than the third staples 285 c. The disclosuresof U.S. Pat. No. 7,866,528, entitled STAPLE DRIVE ASSEMBLY, which issuedon Jan. 1, 2011; U.S. Pat. No. 7,726,537, entitled SURGICAL STAPLER WITHUNIVERSAL ARTICULATION AND TISSUE PRE-CLAMP, which issued on Jun. 1,2010; U.S. Pat. No. 7,641,091, entitled STAPLE DRIVE ASSEMBLY, whichissued on Jan. 5, 2010; U.S. Pat. No. 7,635,074, entitled STAPLE DRIVEASSEMBLY, which issued on Dec. 22, 2009; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,997,469,entitled STAPLE DRIVE ASSEMBLY, which issued on Aug. 16, 2011, arehereby incorporated by reference herein in their respective entireties.

The first staples 285 a and the second staples 285 b at the proximalends of the rows 284′, 284″, and 284′″ comprise a proximal sealingcluster configured to seal tissue positioned over the proximal end ofthe staple cartridge 240. The first staples 285 a and the second staples285 b at the distal ends of the rows 284′, 284″, and 284′″ comprise adistal sealing cluster configured to seal tissue positioned over thedistal end of the staple cartridge 240. A sealing cluster of staples isconfigured to clamp the tissue and limit the flow of fluids, such asblood, for example, therethrough. A sealing cluster can also hold orbind the tissue together. The third staples 285 c comprise a holding orbinding cluster configured to hold or bind the tissue together. Theholding or binding cluster may also seal the tissue; however, thehemostasis that can be achieved with only one row of staples can belimited in certain circumstances.

Referring again to FIG. 8, the staple cartridge 240 also includes atissue stop 190 which is configured to perform the same function as thetissue stop 190 of the staple cartridge 140, which is illustrated inFIG. 2. Referring again to FIG. 2, the distal-most staple cavities 145and, thus, the distal-most staples 185, are positioned laterally withrespect to the tissue stop 190. The tissue stop 190 extends proximallywith respect to the distal ends of the first staple cavity row 184′ andthe third staple cavity row 184′″. Such an arrangement stops the knife163 proximally with respect to the distal-most staples 185 such that theknife 163 does not cut beyond the distal ends of the staple lines.Similarly, referring again to FIG. 8, the distal-most staple cavities245 a-245 c and, thus, the distal-most staples 285 a-285 c, arepositioned laterally with respect to the tissue stop 190. The tissuestop extends proximally with respect to the distal end of at least onestaple cavity row 284′, 284″, and 284′″. Such an arrangement stops theknife 163 proximally with respect to the distal-most staples 285 a-285 csuch that the knife 163 does not cut beyond the distal ends of thestaple lines. In various instances, the tissue stop 190 comprises a pinthat extends or reaches into the staple pattern.

Turning now to FIGS. 9-12, a surgical technique for performing asurgical anastomosis is disclosed. In various instances, an anastomosisis performed to remove a section of a patient's gastrointestinal (GI)tract. As illustrated in FIG. 9, a surgical stapling system 100 can beattached to a surgical instrument 101 and inserted laparascopically intothe patient. The anvil 130 can be opened such that the anvil 130 and thestaple cartridge 140 of the stapling system 100 are positioned relativeto the patient's colon C. When the anvil 130 is moved into a closedposition, the anvil 130 can clamp the colon C against the staplecartridge 140. In various instances, the tissue stop 190 can bepositioned on one side of the colon C such that, when the anvil 130 isclosed, the colon C can be entirely trapped within the stapling system100.

As also illustrated in FIG. 9, a surgical stapling system 200 can beattached to a surgical instrument 201 and inserted laparascopically intothe patient. The anvil 130 can be opened such that the anvil 130 and thestaple cartridge 240 of the stapling system 200 are positioned relativeto the patient's colon C. When the anvil 130 is moved into a closedposition, the anvil 130 can clamp the colon C against the staplecartridge 240. In various instances, the tissue stop 190 can bepositioned on one side of the colon C such that, when the anvil 130 isclosed, the colon C can be entirely trapped within the stapling system200. At such point, a section C′ of the colon C can be intermediate theclamped first stapling system 100 and the clamped second stapling system200.

Turning now to FIG. 10, the first stapling system 100 can be operated tocompletely transect and staple the colon Cat a first, or upper,location. Three rows 184 of the staples 185 are implanted on the upperside of the transection and three rows of the staples 185 are implantedin the colon section C′. The second stapling system 200 can be operatedto completely transect and staple the colon C at a second, or lower,location. Three rows of staples, i.e., a first row 284 a, a second row285 b, and a third row 285 c, are implanted on the lower side of thetransection and three rows of staples, i.e., a first row 284 a, a secondrow 285 b, and a third row 285 c, are implanted in the colon section C′.Once the colon has been transected and stapled at the upper location andthe lower location, the colon section C′ can be removed from thepatient, as illustrated in FIG. 10.

Referring again to FIG. 10, a surgical stapling system 300 can beutilized to reconnect the upper portion and the lower portion of thecolon C. A staple cartridge portion 340 of the stapling system 300 isinserted into the rectum R of the patient into the lower portion of thecolon C. A connecting rod 310 extending from the stapling system 300 isthen inserted through the staple line 284 c and the interruptions in thestaples 284 a and 284 b. An anvil portion 330 of the stapling system 300is positioned in the upper portion of the colon C. In various instances,the sidewall of the upper portion of the colon C can be incised and theanvil portion 330 can then be positioned inside the upper portion. Aconnection portion 331 of the anvil 330 can positioned such that itprotrudes through the sidewall of the upper colon portion and can beconnected to the connecting rod 310 of the staple cartridge portion 340.Referring now to FIG. 11, the connecting rod 310 can be retracted topull the anvil portion 330 toward the staple cartridge portion 340 andthe upper colon portion toward the lower colon portion. The anvilportion 330 can be retracted until the tissue of the upper colon portionand the lower colon portion are compressed against the staple cartridge340.

The stapling assembly 300 comprises a circular stapling assembly. Acircular stapling assembly can form one or more circular rings ofstaples in the tissue captured between the anvil portion 330 and thestaple cartridge portion 340. The staple cartridge 340 comprises aplurality of staples 385 removably stored therein which are pushedtoward the anvil 330 by staple pushers 380. The pushers 380 are pushedtoward the anvil portion 330 by a firing member movably positioned in ashaft 320 of the stapling assembly 300. The firing member also pushes acircular knife 363 toward the anvil portion 330 to transect the tissuepositioned radially inwardly with respect to the staple lines created bythe staple cartridge portion 340. After the staples 385 have been firedand the tissue has been transected, the anvil portion 330 isdisconnected from the connecting rod 310. The cartridge portion 340 ofthe stapling assembly 300 is then withdrawn from the patient's rectum.The anvil portion 330 is removed from the patient's colon and theincision used to insert the anvil portion 330 into the colon is closedvia suturing, for example. The transected tissue, discussed above, oftentakes the shape of an annular ring which passes naturally through thepatient's GI tract. The disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 8,360,297, entitledSURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING INSTRUMENT WITH SELF ADJUSTING ANVIL,which issued on Jan. 29, 2013, is incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the staples 385 can be deployed into thecolon such that the third staples 285 c are positioned within the ring,or rings, of staples 385. In certain circumstances, the ring of staples385 may overlap with some of the third staples 285 c. In variousinstances, the knife 263 may transect the tissue such that the thirdstaples 285 c are positioned in the transected ring of tissue. In suchinstances, all of the third staples 285 c can be removed with thetransected tissue. In some circumstances, the knife 263 may transect athird staple 285 c and, as a result, a portion of a third staple 285 ccan be left in the remaining colon tissue.

At the end of the surgical technique, referring primarily to FIG. 12,the upper colon portion and the lower colon portion can be held togetherby the staples 385 deployed by the third stapling assembly 300. Thelower colon portion can remain at least partially sealed by the firststaples 285 a and/or the second staples 285 b. In various instances,some of the first staples 285 a and/or the second staples 285 can beremoved with the transected ring of tissue. In some instances, thestaples 385 can overlap with the first staples 285 a and the secondstaples 285 b.

Referring again to FIG. 9, the surgical instrument 101 comprises anarticulation joint 150 about which the stapling assembly 100 can bearticulated. The stapling assembly 100 is articulatable about thearticulation axis 151 (FIG. 1) which is perpendicular to the rotationaxis 131 (FIG. 1) about which the anvil 130 is rotated. Similarly, thesurgical instrument 201 comprises an articulation joint 250 about whichthe stapling assembly 200 can be articulated. Also, similarly, thestapling assembly 200 is articulatable about an articulation axis whichis perpendicular to the rotation axis 131 about which the anvil 130 isrotated. The disclosure of U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2013/0168435, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT WITH ANARTICULATABLE END EFFECTOR, which published on Jul. 4, 2013, isincorporated by reference in its entirety.

As discussed above, referring again to FIG. 2, the sled 170 is advanceddistally by a firing member 160 which is pushed distally by a surgicalinstrument. In certain other embodiments, referring now to FIG. 13, asled 170′ can be pushed distally by a rotatable firing member 360. Thesled 170′ includes a threaded aperture 361 which is threadably engagedwith a thread 362 defined on the outside surface of the rotatable firingmember 360. The sled 170′ is constrained from rotating relative to thestaple cartridge and, as a result, the rotation of the firing member 360displaces the sled 170′ proximally or distally, depending on thedirection in which the firing member 360 is rotated. The sled 170′ cancomprise a nut which is displaced longitudinally by a screw portion ofthe firing member 360. The disclosure of U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2007/0175950, entitled DISPOSABLE STAPLE CARTRIDGEHAVING AN ANVIL WITH TISSUE LOCATOR FOR USE WITH A SURGICAL CUTTING ANDFASTENING INSTRUMENT AND MODULAR END EFFECTOR SYSTEM THEREFOR, whichpublished on Aug. 2, 2007, is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The embodiment disclosed in FIG. 13 can be utilized in embodiments witharticulation joints and without articulation joints. In embodiments witharticulation joints, for example the firing member 360 can include afirst rotatable shaft portion positioned proximally with respect to thearticulation joint and a second rotatable shaft portion positioneddistally with respect to the articulation joint. The first rotatableshaft portion can comprise a first gear, such as a bevel gear, forexample, which is engaged with a second gear, such as a bevel gear, forexample, to transmit the rotational motion therebetween. The first gearand the second gear can remain operably intermeshed throughout anarticulation range of the surgical stapling system. In at least oneinstance, the articulation joint comprises an articulation axis which isparallel to the rotation axis 131 about which the anvil 130 is rotated,for example. In certain instances, the articulation joint can comprisean articulation axis which is not perpendicular to the rotation axis131, for example. In such instances, the surgical stapling system can bemaneuvered into positions that may not be reachable utilizing thearticulation joint 150 and/or the articulation joint 250. In at leastone instance, a surgical stapling system can be rotated into a ninetydegree angle with respect to a shaft of a surgical stapling instrument,for example. In such instances, the second rotatable shaft can beorthogonal to the first rotatable shaft.

The entire disclosure of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/512,637,entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE, which was filed on Oct. 13, 2014, isincorporated by reference herein.

A surgical instrument assembly 500 is illustrated in FIGS. 14-20. Thesurgical instrument assembly 500 comprises an end effector 510, a shaft520, and an articulation joint 550 rotatably connecting the end effector510 to the shaft 520. The shaft 520 comprises a longitudinal shaft axis521, a spine, or frame, 522, and an outer tube 523. The end effector 510comprises a longitudinal axis 511, a first jaw 512, and a second jaw514. The first jaw 512 includes a replaceable staple cartridge 540 whichis readily attachable to and detachable from the first jaw 512; however,other embodiments are envisioned in which the staple cartridge 540 isnot readily removable from the first jaw 512. The staple cartridge 540includes a cartridge body and a plurality of staples removably storedtherein. The second jaw 514 includes an anvil 530 configured to deformthe staples when the staples are ejected from the staple cartridge 540.

The second jaw 514 is movable relative to the first jaw 512; however,other embodiments are envisioned in which the first jaw 512 is movablerelative to the second jaw 514. The second jaw 514 is rotatable about aclosure axis 131 between an open position (FIG. 20) and a closedposition (FIGS. 14, 15, 18, and 19). The closure axis 131 is transverseto the longitudinal end effector axis 511. In various instances, theclosure axis 131 is orthogonal, for example, to the end effector axis511. The second jaw 514 comprises pivot pins 516 extending laterallytherefrom which are positioned in pivot windows 517 defined in the firstjaw 512. The pivot pins 516 and the pivot windows 517 are sized andconfigured to permit the pivot pins 516 to float within the pivotwindows 517; however, other embodiments are envisioned in which thepivot pins 516 and the pivot windows 517 define a fixed axis pivot. Ineither event, the pivot pins 516 and the pivot windows 517 define theclosure axis 131.

Referring again to FIGS. 14-20, the articulation joint 550 connects adistal end of the shaft 520 to a proximal end of the end effector 510.Referring primarily to FIG. 16, the first jaw 512 of the end effector510 comprises a channel mount 513 which includes articulation pins 518extending laterally therefrom. The articulation pins 518 are positionedin articulation apertures 528 defined in the outer tube 523 of the shaft520. The articulation pins 518 are closely received in the articulationapertures 528 to form a fixed axis pivot which defines an articulationaxis 551 about which the end effector 510 is articulated relative to theshaft 520. The articulation axis 551 is transverse to the longitudinalshaft axis 521. In various instances, the articulation axis 551 isorthogonal, for example, to the shaft axis 521. The articulation axis551 is parallel to the closure axis 131. The articulation axis 551 andthe closure axis 131 are parallel if they are precisely parallel orsubstantially parallel. The articulation axis 551 and the closure axis131 are longitudinally offset, but are laterally aligned, or point inthe same general direction.

As discussed above, the end effector 510 is articulatable relative tothe shaft 520. The end effector 510 is movable between an unarticulatedposition, such as the position illustrated in FIGS. 14, 15 and 18, andan articulated position, such as the position illustrated in FIGS. 19and 20. The articulated position of the end effector 510 in FIGS. 19 and20 is a fully articulated position; however, other articulated positionsare envisioned. In an unarticulated position of the end effector 510,the longitudinal end effector axis 511 is longitudinally aligned withthe longitudinal shaft axis 521. In an articulated position of the endeffector 510, the longitudinal end effector axis 511 is no longerlongitudinally aligned with, and extends transversely to, thelongitudinal shaft axis 521. In the fully articulated position of theend effector 510 depicted in FIGS. 19 and 20, the end effector axis 511is orthogonal to the shaft axis 521.

The surgical instrument assembly 500 further comprises an articulationactuation system configured to move the end effector 510 between anunarticulated position and an articulated position. Referring primarilyto FIGS. 15-18 which depict the articulation actuation system in anunactuated configuration, the articulation actuation system comprises anelectric motor 552 positioned in the shaft 520. More specifically, thehousing of the electric motor 552 is positioned in a motor cavity 584defined in the frame 522 of the shaft 520. The electric motor 552 can bemounted in the motor cavity 584 in such a way so as to prevent orinhibit the housing of the electric motor 552 from rotating relative tothe shaft frame 522. The electric motor 552 can be operably coupled to apower source in the surgical instrument assembly 500, such as a battery,for example, which can be positioned in a handle or housing, forexample, of the surgical instrument assembly 500. Electricallyconductive wires, for example, can extend through a wire channel 584defined in the shaft frame 522 to the power supply and/or controlcircuit positioned in the handle or housing of the surgical instrumentassembly 500. The electric motor 552 further comprises a rotatableoutput shaft 553 which extends distally toward the end effector 510.

The articulation actuation system further comprises an articulationslide 554 positioned in the shaft 520. The articulation slide 554includes a proximal drive aperture 555 defined therein. The motor outputshaft 553 and the slide drive aperture 555 can be threadably engagedsuch that, when the motor output shaft 553 is rotated in a firstdirection, the articulation slide 554 is advanced distally and, when themotor output shaft 553 is rotated in a second, or opposite, direction,the articulation slide 554 is retracted proximally. The articulationslide 554 further comprises a longitudinal anti-rotation rib 556extending therefrom which is positioned within, and keyed to, alongitudinal anti-rotation slot 526 defined in the outer tube 523 of theshaft 520. The anti-rotation rib 556 and slot 526 are sized andconfigured to prevent or inhibit the rotation of the articulation slide554 within the shaft 520. As a result of the above, the rotationmovement of the output shaft 553 is converted to longitudinal movementof the articulation slide 554.

The articulation actuation system further comprises articulation links557 extending distally from the articulation slide 554. The articulationslide 554 comprises a distal pin aperture which is aligned with proximallink apertures 558 defined in the proximal ends of the articulationlinks 557. The distal pin aperture and the proximal link apertures 558are configured to receive a proximal link pin therein which isconfigured to transmit the movement of the articulation slide 554 to thearticulation links 557. The channel mount 513 comprises a projection lugextending proximally therefrom which includes a mounting aperture 519(FIG. 17) aligned with distal link apertures 559 defined in the distalends of the articulation links 557. The mounting lug aperture 519 andthe distal link apertures 559 are configured to receive a distal linkpin therein which is configured to transmit the movement of thearticulation slide 554 and the articulation links 557 to the channelmount 513 of the first jaw 512. When the articulation slide 554, thearticulation links 557, and the first jaw 512 are pushed distally by thearticulation motor 552, as discussed above, the end effector 510 isrotated from its unarticulated position to its articulated positionabout the articulation axis 551. As discussed above, the second jaw 514is rotatably mounted to the first jaw 512 and, as a result, the secondjaw 514 rotates with the first jaw 512 as the end effector 510 isrotated into its articulated position.

In order to return the end effector 510 to its unarticulated position,further to the above, the articulation motor 552 is operated in theopposite direction to retract the articulation slide 554, thearticulation links 557, and the first jaw 512 and rotate the endeffector 510 about the articulation axis 511 in the opposite direction.In various instances, the articulation actuation system can be movedthrough a full articulation stroke in which the end effector 510 ismoved between an unarticulated position and a fully articulatedposition. The beginning and the end of the articulation stroke can becontrolled mechanically and/or electronically. For instance, thesurgical instrument assembly 500 can comprise a control system includingan encoder and a microprocessor, for example, configured to count therotations of the articulation motor shaft 553 and interrupt the powersupplied to the articulation motor 552 once a predetermined maximumnumber of rotations has been reached. Also, for instance, theanti-rotation slot 526 defined in the shaft tube 523 can comprise adistal end which limits the distal movement of the anti-rotation rib 556of the articulation slide 554 and, thus, limits the articulation of theend effector 510. Similarly, the anti-rotation slot 526 can comprise aproximal end which limits the proximal movement of the anti-rotation rib556 and, thus, limits the return articulation of the end effector 510.

The surgical instrument assembly 500 further comprises a firing driveconfigured to eject the staples from the staple cartridge 540, asdiscussed above. The firing drive comprises a first drive portion in theshaft 520 and a second drive portion in the end effector 510. In theunarticulated position of the end effector 510, referring primarily toFIGS. 15 and 18, the first drive portion is not operably engaged withthe second drive portion. Thus, even if the first drive portion ismotivated, the second drive portion will not respond to the motivationof the first drive portion. The second drive portion of the end effector510 is engaged with the first drive portion of the shaft 520 when theend effector 510 is articulated, as illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20. Invarious embodiments, the second drive portion is engaged with the firstdrive portion only when the end effector 510 is fully articulated, andnot when the end effector 510 is only in a partially articulatedposition. In other embodiments, the second drive portion can be engagedwith the first drive portion when the end effector 510 is in a partiallyarticulated position, i.e., prior to the end effector 510 reaching afully articulated position. In at least one such embodiment, the seconddrive portion of the end effector 510 is engaged with the first driveportion of the shaft 520 throughout a range of articulation positions ofthe end effector 510.

The first drive portion of the shaft 520 comprises a rotatable driveshaft 580. The drive shaft 580 is rotatable by any suitable means, suchas an electric motor an/or a mechanical hand crank, for example. Theelectric motor and/or mechanical hand crank can be positioned within thehandle or housing discussed above. In some instances, the handle orhousing can comprise an articulation motor for operating thearticulation actuation drive and a separate firing motor for operatingthe firing drive. In other instances, the articulation drive and thefiring drive can be operated by the same electric motor. The disclosureof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/200,111, entitled CONTROL SYSTEMSFOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, which was filed on Mar. 7, 2014, now U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263539, is incorporated byreference in its entirety. The drive shaft 580 is rotatably supported ina bearing aperture 581 extending through the frame 522 and a bearingaperture 582 extending through the articulation slide 554. The distalend of the drive shaft 580 comprises a shaft bevel gear 569 which ismounted to the drive shaft 580 such that the rotation of the drive shaft580 is transmitted to the shaft bevel gear 569.

The second drive portion of the shaft 520 comprises an end effectorbevel gear 568 mounted to the proximal end of a transfer shaft 567. Thetransfer shaft 567 is rotatably supported in a bearing aperture definedin the channel mount 513. The distal end of the transfer shaft 567comprises a pinion gear 566 which is mounted to the transfer shaft 567such that the rotation of the transfer shaft 567 is transmitted to thepinion gear 566. The pinion gear 566 is meshingly engaged with anintermediate gear 565 which is rotatably supported in the channel mount513. The intermediate gear 565 is meshingly engaged with a driven gear562 mounted to a firing shaft 560. The driven gear 562 is meshed withthe intermediate gear 565 and the intermediate gear 565 is meshed withthe pinion gear 566 such that the rotation of the pinion gear 566 istransmitted to the driven gear 562. The driven gear 562 is mounted tothe firing shaft 560 such that the rotation of the driven gear 562 istransmitted to the firing shaft 560. As will be discussed in greaterdetail below, the rotation of the firing shaft 560 in a first directionfires, or ejects, the staples from the staple cartridge 540.

When the end effector 510 is in its unarticulated configuration, asillustrated in FIGS. 15 and 18, the shaft bevel gear 569 is not operablyengaged with the end effector bevel gear 568. Stated another way, theteeth of the shaft bevel gear 569 are not meshingly engaged with theteeth of the end effector bevel gear 568 when the end effector 510 is inits unarticulated position. As a result, the drive shaft 580 cannotdrive the firing shaft 560 when the end effector 510 is in itsunarticulated position. When the end effector 510 is rotated into itsarticulated position, as illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20, the teeth ofthe end effector bevel gear 568 can become meshingly engaged with theteeth of the shaft bevel gear 569. At such point, the drive shaft 580can drive the firing shaft 560. It is envisioned that the drive shaft580 will not be rotating when the bevel gears 568 and 569 are operablyengaged; however, alternative embodiments are possible in which the endeffector bevel gear 568 can mate with the shaft bevel gear 569 when thedrive shaft 580 is moving.

In various instances, further to the above, at least one of the driveshaft 580 and the transfer shaft 567 can be free to rotate toaccommodate and account for misalignment between the teeth of the endeffector bevel gear 568 and the shaft bevel gear 569. Stated anotherway, the end effector bevel gear 568 may not always be presented to theshaft bevel gear 569 in a perfect alignment and, as a result, one orboth of the bevel gears 568 and 569 may need to rotate slightly to meshcompletely with one another. The disclosure of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/248,590, entitled MOTOR DRIVEN SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITHLOCKABLE DUAL DRIVE SHAFTS, which was filed on Apr. 9, 2014, now U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0305987, is incorporated byreference in its entirety. In any event, the drive shaft 580 can drivethe firing shaft 560 when the end effector 510 is in an articulatedposition. When the end effector 510 is rotated from its articulatedposition toward its unarticulated position, the end effector bevel gear568 can become operably decoupled from the shaft bevel gear 569 and, asa result, the drive shaft 580 cannot drive the firing shaft 560.

In addition to the above, the firing shaft 560 comprises a proximalbearing 564 positioned at a proximal end thereof and a distal bearing563 positioned at a distal end thereof which rotatably support thefiring shaft 560 in the first jaw 512. The firing shaft 560 furthercomprises a threaded portion 561 which is threadably engaged with afiring member, or sled, 570. Referring primarily to FIG. 17, the sled570 comprises a threaded aperture 571 which is threadably engaged withthe threaded portion 561 of the firing shaft 560 such that, when thefiring shaft 560 is rotated in a first direction, the sled 570 isadvanced distally toward the distal bearing 563 and, when the firingshaft 560 is rotated in a second, or opposite, direction, the sled 570is retracted proximally toward the proximal bearing 564. The sled 570comprises one or more ramps 575 configured to slide under driversmovably positioned in staple cavities 541 defined in the staplecartridge 540 as the sled 570 is advanced distally. The ramps 575 liftthe staple drivers, and the staples, positioned within the staplecavities 541 toward a top, or deck, surface 542 defined on the cartridge540 and then continue to lift the staples into contact with the anvil530 where the staples are deformed into a suitable configuration. Thesled 570 further comprises a cutting portion 573, such as a knife edge,for example, which moves within and/or relative to a longitudinal slot543 defined in the staple cartridge 540. The knife edge transects thetissue captured between the staple cartridge 540 and the anvil 530 asthe tissue is being stapled during a firing stroke. The cutting portion573 is integrally formed with the ramps 575; however, other embodimentsare envisioned in which the cutting portion 573 and the ramps 575comprise separate components.

The beginning and the end of the firing stroke can be controlledmechanically and/or electronically. For instance, the surgicalinstrument assembly 500 can comprise a control system including anencoder and a microprocessor, for example, configured to count therotations of the drive shaft 580 and interrupt and/or reverse thepolarity of the power supplied to the firing drive motor once apredetermined maximum number of rotations has been reached. Also, forinstance, the staple cartridge 540 can comprise a distal stop which iscontacted by the sled 570 at the end of the firing stroke.

The sled 570 further comprises a first camming member 572 configured toengage the first jaw 512 and a second camming member 574 configured toengage the second jaw 514. The first camming member 572 and the secondcamming member 574 can co-operate to position the second jaw 514relative to the first jaw 512 as the sled 570 is advanced distally. Insuch instances, the camming members 572 and 574 position the anvil 530relative to the staple cartridge 540 to control the gap, or tissue gap,between the anvil 530 and the staple cartridge 540. Moreover, thecamming members 572 and 574 control the forming distance between thestaple drivers and the anvil 530 and, as a result, control the formedheight of the staples. Further to the above, alternative embodiments areenvisioned in which the staple cartridge is moved relative to the anvil.In such embodiments, the camming members 572 and 574 could position thestaple cartridge relative to the anvil.

As discussed above, the sled 570 is part of a firing system configuredto fire the staples from the staple cartridge 540. The sled 570 may alsobe part of a closure system configured to close the second jaw 514. Insuch instances, the sled 570 may be advanced distally to contact thesecond jaw 514 and move the anvil 530 toward the staple cartridge 540 inorder to clamp tissue against the staple cartridge 540. Morespecifically, the second camming member 574 would contact the second jaw514 to move the second jaw 514 into a closed position. In order tore-open the second jaw 514 and reposition the end effector 510, forinstance, the sled 570 could be retracted proximally such that thesecond camming member 574 is no longer in contact with the second jaw514. A biasing member, such as a spring, for example could bias thesecond jaw 514 back into its open position.

In addition to or in lieu of the above, the surgical instrument assembly500 further comprises a closure drive system. The closure drive systemcomprises a closure motor 590 positioned in the channel mount 513. Theclosure motor 590 comprises a motor housing supported by the channelmount 513 such that the motor housing is prevented or inhibited fromrotating relative to the channel mount 513. Notably, the closure motor590 is positioned distally with respect to articulation joint 550. Theclosure motor 590 can be operably coupled to a power source in thesurgical instrument assembly 500, such as a battery, for example, whichcan be positioned in a handle or housing, for example, of the surgicalinstrument assembly 500. The battery can be positioned distally orproximally with respect to the articulation joint 550. Electricallyconductive wires, for example, can extend through a wire channel definedin the shaft frame 522 to the power supply and/or control circuitpositioned in the handle or housing of the surgical instrument assembly500. The electrical wires can traverse the articulation joint 550 whenthe power supply and/or control circuit is located proximally withrespect to the articulation joint 550.

The articulation motor 590 further comprises a rotatable output shaft591 which extends distally toward the distal end of the end effector510. The closure drive further comprises a closure slide 592 movablymounted to the channel mount 513 of the first jaw 512. The closure slide592 comprises a proximal threaded aperture 593. The motor output shaft591 comprises a threaded portion which is threadably engaged with thethreaded aperture 593 defined in the closure slide 592 such that, whenthe motor output shaft 591 is rotated in a first direction, the closureslide 592 is advanced distally and, when the motor output shaft 591 isrotated in a second, or opposite, direction, the closure slide 592 isretracted proximally. The closure slide 592 comprises at least onelateral guide 594 received within a lateral slot defined in the channelmount 513 of the first jaw 512 which can constrain the movement of theclosure slide 592. The closure slide 592 can be constrained such that itslides longitudinally between a proximal position and a distal position;however, other embodiments are envisioned in which the closure slide 592comprises any suitable movement.

The second jaw 514 comprises a closure tab 515 extending upwardly fromthe proximal end thereof. The closure tab 515 is positioned within awindow 595 defined in the distal end of the closure slide 592. When theclosure slide 592 is advanced distally, a proximal sidewall of thewindow 595 contacts the closure tab 515 and rotates the anvil 530 of thesecond jaw 514 toward the staple cartridge 540 of the first jaw 512. Theclosure slide 592 can also push, or translate, the second jaw 514distally if such motion is accommodated by the closure pivot jointconnecting the second jaw 514 to the first jaw 512. If the closure pivotjoint comprises a fixed axis pivot, the motion of the second jaw 514 islimited to rotational motion. When the closure slide 592 is retractedproximally, a distal sidewall of the window 595 contacts the closure tab515 and rotates the anvil 530 of the second jaw 514 away from the staplecartridge 540 of the first jaw 512. The closure slide 592 can also pull,or translate, the second jaw 514 proximally if such motion isaccommodated by the closure pivot joint.

Further to the above, the closure slide 592 is movable by the closuremotor 590 through a full closure stroke in order to move the second jaw514 between an open position and a closed position and, in addition,through a full opening stroke in order to move the second jaw 514between a closed position and an open position. The channel mount 513can comprise a proximal stop configured to stop the proximal movement ofthe closure slide 592 and limit the opening movement of the second jaw514. The channel mount 513 can further comprise a distal stop configuredto stop the distal movement of the closure slide 592 and limit theclosing movement of the second jaw 514. In certain instances, thesurgical instrument assembly 500 can comprise a control system includingan encoder and a microprocessor, for example, configured to count therotations of the closure motor shaft 591 and interrupt the powersupplied to the closure motor 590 once a predetermined maximum number ofrotations has been reached.

The closure slide 592 can be moved distally through the full closurestroke to clamp tissue against the staple cartridge 540 and thenretracted proximally through the full opening stroke if the clinician isunsatisfied with the positioning of the tissue within the end effector510. In some instances, the closure slide 592 may be moved onlypartially through its closure stroke to clamp tissue against the staplecartridge 540. In such instances, the clinician can assess whether thetissue is properly positioned within the end effector 510 before fullyclosing the second jaw 514. In some instances, the closure slide 592 maybe moved only partially through its opening stroke to release thetissue. In such instances, the end effector 510 can be repositionedrelative to the tissue without having to fully open the second jaw 514.

In use, in certain instances, the second jaw 514 can be moved into anopen position such that a staple cartridge 530, for example, can beinserted into the first jaw 512. The second jaw 514 can then be movedinto a closed position, or an at least substantially closed position,such that at least the end effector 510 of the surgical instrumentassembly 500 can be inserted through a trocar into a patient. The endeffector 510 can be in an unarticulated configuration when it isinserted through the trocar. Once the end effector 510 has passedthrough the trocar, the end effector 510 can be rotated into itsarticulated position by the articulation actuation system, discussedabove, and/or the second jaw 514 can be re-opened by the closure drivesystem, also discussed above. The electrical controls of the surgicalinstrument assembly 500 can be configured to permit the closure drivesystem to be operated when the end effector 510 is in an unarticulatedposition and/or an articulated position.

In some instances, further to the above, it may be desirable to operatethe closure drive system at the same time as the articulation actuationsystem. Such instances can make the surgical instrument assembly 500readily manipulatable. In other instances, it may not be desirable tooperate the closure drive system at the same time as the articulationdrive system as doing so may make the surgical instrument assembly 500difficult to control for an inexperienced clinician. In such instances,the electrical controls of the surgical instrument assembly 500 can beconfigured to interrupt the supply of power to the closure motor 590when the articulation motor 552 is being operated. Similarly, theelectrical controls of the surgical instrument assembly 500 can beconfigured to interrupt the supply of power to the articulation motor552 when the closure motor 590 is being operated. When tissue is clampedbetween the anvil 530 and the staple cartridge 540, it may not bedesirable to articulate the end effector 540. The electrical controls ofthe surgical instrument assembly 500 can interrupt power to thearticulation motor 552 when the second jaw 514 is in an at leastpartially closed position and the end effector 510 is in an articulatedposition. In certain instances, the surgical instrument assembly 500 caninclude an electronic lockout system, such as those disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 7,644,848, entitled ELECTRONIC LOCKOUTS AND SURGICAL INSTRUMENTINCLUDING SAME, which issued on Jan. 12, 2010. The entire disclosure ofU.S. Pat. No. 7,644,848, entitled ELECTRONIC LOCKOUTS AND SURGICALINSTRUMENT INCLUDING SAME, is incorporated by reference.

The reader should appreciate that, although the closure drive system canbe operated when the end effector 510 is in an unarticulated position,the second drive portion of the firing drive system is operablydisconnected from the first drive portion of the firing drive systemwhen the end effector 510 is in an unarticulated position. Theelectrical controls of the surgical instrument assembly 500 can beconfigured to detect when the end effector 510 is in a position in whichthe first drive portion is not operably engaged with the second driveportion and prevent the first drive portion of the firing drive systemfrom being operated. Similar to the above, the power supplied to theelectrical motor of the firing drive system can be interrupted toprevent the first drive portion of the firing drive system from beingoperated. In such instances, a hard or sudden start of the sled 570 canbe avoided by preventing, or at least reducing the possibility of, thefirst drive portion engaging an already moving second drive portion.Once the electrical controls detect that the end effector 510 is in aposition in which the first drive portion is engaged with the seconddrive portion, the electrical controls can permit the first driveportion of the firing drive system to be operated.

Once the end effector 510 has been suitably articulated, the seconddrive portion of the firing drive system has been engaged with the firstdrive portion, and the tissue has been properly clamped between theanvil 530 and the staple cartridge 540, the firing drive system can beoperated to advance the sled 570 distally through a firing stroke tostaple and incise the tissue. The first camming member 572 and secondcamming member 574 can co-operate to position the anvil 530 relative tothe staple cartridge 540 and control the height in which the staples areformed. It may be desirable that the end effector 510 is not articulatedduring the firing stroke. The electrical controls of the surgicalinstrument assembly 500 may prevent the articulation actuation systemfrom being operated while the firing drive system is being operated.Similarly, it may be desirable to prevent the closure drive fromattempting to open the second jaw 514 during a firing stroke. Theelectrical controls of the surgical instrument assembly 500 may preventthe closure drive system from being operated while the firing drive isoperated. It may also be desirable to prevent the articulation actuationsystem and the closure drive system from being operated if the sled 570has been at least partially advanced regardless of whether the firingdrive system is currently being operated. After at least some of thestaples stored in the staple cartridge 540 have been fired, the sled 570must be retracted before the anvil 530 can be re-opened to release thetissue. Once the tissue has been released, the end effector 510 can bereturned back to its unarticulated position and the second jaw 514 canbe re-closed before the end effector 510 is withdrawn from the patientthrough the trocar, for example.

As discussed above, the firing drive system of the surgical instrumentassembly 500 is operably coupled when the end effector 510 isarticulated. Other embodiments are envisioned in which any suitabledrive system, such as a closure drive system, for example, is operablycoupled when an end effector is introduced into a surgical site, andthen articulated, for example.

The surgical instrument assembly 500 is also illustrated in FIGS. 21-28.In these figures, a staple cartridge 640 is positioned in the first jaw512 instead of the staple cartridge 540. The staple cartridge 640 issimilar in many respects to the staple cartridge 240 discussed above.Like the staple cartridge 240, the staple cartridge 640 also includes atissue stop. The staple cartridge 640 includes a tissue stop 690configured to prevent or at least inhibit the distal migration of tissuewithin the end effector 510. The tissue stop 690 is deployable betweenan undeployed position, as illustrated in FIG. 25, and a deployedposition, as illustrated in FIG. 26. Referring primarily to FIGS. 21 and22, the tissue stop 690 is positioned in the distal end of thelongitudinal slot 243 of the staple cartridge 640. The tissue stop 690comprises a first end 691 rotatably mounted to the cartridge body and asecond end 692 configured to be in contact with the anvil 530. Thestaple cartridge 640 further comprises a biasing member, such as atorsion spring, for example, configured to bias the tissue stop 690toward its deployed position.

In use, referring to FIG. 25, the staple cartridge 640 can be positionedin the first jaw 512 and the tissue stop 690 can be held in itsundeployed position by the second jaw 514 as the end effector 510 isinserted through a trocar, for example, into a patient. In such anundeployed position, the tissue stop 690 can be at least partiallystowed in the longitudinal slot 243. When the second jaw 514 is movedinto an open position to position tissue between the anvil 530 and thestaple cartridge 640, referring to FIG. 26, the torsion spring can biasthe tissue stop 690 into its deployed position. In various instances,referring primarily to FIG. 23, the staple cartridge 640 can bepositioned on a first side of a patient's colon C and the anvil 530 canbe positioned on a second side of the colon C. Referring to FIGS. 23 and24, the design of the surgical instrument assembly 500 can beadvantageously utilized to easily position the articulated end effector510 relative to the colon C. The colon C can be positioned in the endeffector 510 such that the colon C is positioned proximally with respectto the tissue stop 690, as illustrated in FIG. 26. When the second jaw514 is closed once again, the anvil 530 can contact the second end 692of the tissue stop 690 and trap the colon C in the end effector 510, asillustrated in FIG. 27. In various instances, the anvil 530 can then bedriven toward the staple cartridge 640 to deform the tissue stop 690 andmove the anvil 530 into a fully closed position. Such deformation may beplastic deformation and/or elastic deformation. In certain instances,the anvil 530 can permanently deform the tissue stop 690. In at leastone instance, the anvil 530 can crush the tissue stop 690, asillustrated in FIG. 28. The staple cartridge 640 can comprise a lockconfigured to hold the tissue stop 690 in its deployed configuration. Invarious instances, the tissue stop 690 can be comprised of plastic, forexample.

In various instances, further to the above, the anvil 530 may deform thetissue stop 690 prior to the firing stroke of the end effector 510. Inother instances, the anvil 530 may not deform the tissue stop 690 priorto the firing stroke of the end effector 510. The anvil 530 may deformthe tissue stop 690 as the sled 570 is advanced distally. In at leastone instance, the anvil 530 can gradually deform the tissue stop 690 asthe sled 570 is advanced distally. In such instances, the amount inwhich the tissue stop 690 is deformed is a function of the position ofthe sled 570. This function may be a linear function or a non-linearfunction, for example. In other instances, the tissue stop 690 candeform, buckle, and/or collapse suddenly. The tissue stop 690 cancollapse at the beginning of the firing stroke or at some later point inthe firing stroke.

The entire disclosures of:

U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,312, entitled ELECTROSURGICAL HEMOSTATIC DEVICE,which issued on Apr. 4, 1995;

U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,818, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVINGSEPARATE DISTINCT CLOSING AND FIRING SYSTEMS, which issued on Feb. 21,2006;

U.S. Pat. No. 7,422,139, entitled MOTOR-DRIVEN SURGICAL CUTTING ANDFASTENING INSTRUMENT WITH TACTILE POSITION FEEDBACK, which issued onSep. 9, 2008;

U.S. Pat. No. 7,464,849, entitled ELECTRO-MECHANICAL SURGICAL INSTRUMENTWITH CLOSURE SYSTEM AND ANVIL ALIGNMENT COMPONENTS, which issued on Dec.16, 2008;

U.S. Pat. No. 7,670,334, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING ANARTICULATING END EFFECTOR, which issued on Mar. 2, 2010;

U.S. Pat. No. 7,753,245, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS, whichissued on Jul. 13, 2010;

U.S. Pat. No. 8,393,514, entitled SELECTIVELY ORIENTABLE IMPLANTABLEFASTENER CARTRIDGE, which issued on Mar. 12, 2013;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/343,803, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT HAVING RECORDING CAPABILITIES; now U.S. Pat. No. 7,845,537;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/031,573, entitled SURGICAL CUTTINGAND FASTENING INSTRUMENT HAVING RF ELECTRODES, filed Feb. 14, 2008;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/031,873, entitled END EFFECTORS FORA SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING INSTRUMENT, filed Feb. 15, 2008, nowU.S. Pat. No. 7,980,443;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/235,782, entitled MOTOR-DRIVENSURGICAL CUTTING INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,210,411;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/249,117, entitled POWERED SURGICALCUTTING AND STAPLING APPARATUS WITH MANUALLY RETRACTABLE FIRING SYSTEM,now U.S. Pat. No. 8,608,045;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/647,100, entitled MOTOR-DRIVENSURGICAL CUTTING INSTRUMENT WITH ELECTRIC ACTUATOR DIRECTIONAL CONTROLASSEMBLY, filed Dec. 24, 2009; now U.S. Pat. No. 8,220,688;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/893,461, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE,filed Sep. 29, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,733,613;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/036,647, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGINSTRUMENT, filed Feb. 28, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,561,870;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/118,241, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGINSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0298719;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/524,049, entitled ARTICULATABLESURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A FIRING DRIVE, filed on Jun. 15, 2012,now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0334278;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/800,025, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGETISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM, filed on Mar. 13, 2013, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2014/0263551;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/800,067, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGETISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM, filed on Mar. 13, 2013, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2014/0263552;

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0175955, entitled SURGICALCUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENT WITH CLOSURE TRIGGER LOCKING MECHANISM,filed Jan. 31, 2006; and

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0264194, entitled SURGICALSTAPLING INSTRUMENT WITH AN ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTOR, filed Apr. 22,2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,308,040, are hereby incorporated by referenceherein.

Although the various embodiments of the devices have been describedherein in connection with certain disclosed embodiments, manymodifications and variations to those embodiments may be implemented.Also, where materials are disclosed for certain components, othermaterials may be used. Furthermore, according to various embodiments, asingle component may be replaced by multiple components, and multiplecomponents may be replaced by a single component, to perform a givenfunction or functions. The foregoing description and following claimsare intended to cover all such modification and variations.

The devices disclosed herein can be designed to be disposed of after asingle use, or they can be designed to be used multiple times. In eithercase, however, the device can be reconditioned for reuse after at leastone use. Reconditioning can include any combination of the steps ofdisassembly of the device, followed by cleaning or replacement ofparticular pieces, and subsequent reassembly. In particular, the devicecan be disassembled, and any number of the particular pieces or parts ofthe device can be selectively replaced or removed in any combination.Upon cleaning and/or replacement of particular parts, the device can bereassembled for subsequent use either at a reconditioning facility, orby a surgical team immediately prior to a surgical procedure. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that reconditioning of a device canutilize a variety of techniques for disassembly, cleaning/replacement,and reassembly. Use of such techniques, and the resulting reconditioneddevice, are all within the scope of the present application.

Preferably, the invention described herein will be processed beforesurgery. First, a new or used instrument is obtained and if necessarycleaned. The instrument can then be sterilized. In one sterilizationtechnique, the instrument is placed in a closed and sealed container,such as a plastic or TYVEK bag. The container and instrument are thenplaced in a field of radiation that can penetrate the container, such asgamma radiation, x-rays, or high-energy electrons. The radiation killsbacteria on the instrument and in the container. The sterilizedinstrument can then be stored in the sterile container. The sealedcontainer keeps the instrument sterile until it is opened in the medicalfacility.

While this invention has been described as having exemplary designs, thepresent invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope ofthe disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover anyvariations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its generalprinciples. Further, this application is intended to cover suchdepartures from the present disclosure as come within known or customarypractice in the art to which this invention pertains.

Any patent, publication, or other disclosure material, in whole or inpart, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein isincorporated herein only to the extent that the incorporated materialsdoes not conflict with existing definitions, statements, or otherdisclosure material set forth in this disclosure. As such, and to theextent necessary, the disclosure as explicitly set forth hereinsupersedes any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference.Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to be incorporated byreference herein, but which conflicts with existing definitions,statements, or other disclosure material set forth herein will only beincorporated to the extent that no conflict arises between thatincorporated material and the existing disclosure material.

What is claimed is:
 1. A surgical instrument assembly, comprising: ashaft comprising a first drive portion of a drive system; an endeffector comprising a second drive portion of said drive system; and anarticulation joint rotatably connecting said end effector to said shaft,wherein said end effector is rotatable between a first positioncomprising an unarticulated position and a second position comprising anarticulated position about said articulation joint, wherein said firstdrive portion and said second drive portion are operably engageable anddisengageable with each other as a result of the articulation of saidend effector between said unarticulated position and said articulatedposition, wherein said first drive portion is separated from and notoperably engaged with said second drive portion when said end effectoris in said unarticulated position, and wherein said first drive portionis operably engaged with said second drive portion when said endeffector is in said articulated position.
 2. The surgical instrumentassembly of claim 1, wherein said second articulated position comprisesa fully articulated position.
 3. The surgical instrument assembly ofclaim 1, wherein said shaft comprises a longitudinal shaft axis, whereinsaid end effector comprises a longitudinal end effector axis, whereinsaid shaft axis and said end effector axis are aligned when said endeffector is in said unarticulated position, and wherein said endeffector axis is orthogonal to said shaft axis when said end effector isin said articulated position.
 4. The surgical instrument assembly ofclaim 1, wherein said end effector further comprises a staple cartridgeincluding a cartridge body and a plurality of staples removably storedin said cartridge body, wherein said drive system comprises a firingdrive configured to eject said staples from said staple cartridge. 5.The surgical instrument assembly of claim 4, wherein said end effectorfurther comprises: an anvil movable relative to said staple cartridge;and a closure drive configured to move said anvil between an openposition and a closed position, wherein said closure drive comprises amotor positioned on said end effector.
 6. The surgical instrumentassembly of claim 1, wherein said end effector further comprises: astaple cartridge including a cartridge body and a plurality of staplesremovably stored in said cartridge body; and an anvil movable relativeto said staple cartridge, wherein said drive system is a closure driveconfigured to move said anvil between an open position and a closedposition.
 7. The surgical instrument assembly of claim 6, wherein saidend effector further comprises a firing drive configured to eject saidstaples from said staple cartridge, and wherein said firing drivecomprises a motor positioned on said end effector.
 8. The surgicalinstrument assembly of claim 1, wherein said first drive portioncomprises a first rotatable shaft and a first bevel gear mounted to saidfirst rotatable shaft, wherein said second drive portion comprises asecond rotatable shaft and a second bevel gear mounted to said secondrotatable shaft, wherein said first bevel gear is not meshed with saidsecond bevel gear when said end effector is in said first unarticulatedposition, and wherein said first bevel gear is meshed with said secondbevel gear when said end effector is in said second articulatedposition.
 9. The surgical instrument assembly of claim 1, wherein saidend effector is rotatable about an articulation axis, wherein said endeffector further comprises: a staple cartridge including a cartridgebody and a plurality of staples removably stored in said cartridge body;and an anvil movable relative to said staple cartridge, wherein saidanvil is rotatable about a closure axis, and wherein said closure axisis parallel to said articulation axis.
 10. The surgical instrumentassembly of claim 1, wherein said end effector is rotatable in anarticulation plane, wherein said end effector further comprises: astaple cartridge including a cartridge body and a plurality of staplesremovably stored in said cartridge body; and an anvil movable relativeto said staple cartridge, wherein said anvil is rotatable within aclosure plane, and wherein said closure plane is co-planar with saidarticulation plane.
 11. A surgical instrument assembly, comprising: ashaft, comprising: a proximal shaft end; a distal shaft end; and alongitudinal shaft axis extending between said proximal shaft end andsaid distal shaft end; an end effector, comprising: a first jaw; asecond jaw, wherein said first jaw is movable relative to said secondjaw between an open position and a closed position about a closure axis,wherein said closure axis is transverse to said shaft axis; anarticulation joint rotatably connecting said end effector to said distalshaft end of said shaft, wherein said end effector is rotatable about anarticulation axis, wherein said articulation axis is parallel to saidclosure axis, and wherein said closure axis is distal to saidarticulation axis.
 12. The surgical instrument assembly of claim 11,wherein said shaft comprises a first drive portion of a drive system,wherein said end effector comprises a second drive portion of said drivesystem, wherein said end effector is rotatable about said articulationjoint between a first position and a second position, wherein said firstdrive portion is not operably engaged with said second drive portionwhen said end effector is in said first position, and wherein said firstdrive portion is operably engaged with said second drive portion whensaid end effector is in said second position.
 13. The surgicalinstrument assembly of claim 12, wherein said first position of said endeffector comprises an unarticulated position and said second positioncomprises an articulated position.
 14. The surgical instrument assemblyof claim 13, wherein said second position comprises a fully articulatedposition.
 15. The surgical instrument assembly of claim 13, wherein saidend effector comprises a longitudinal end effector axis, wherein saidshaft axis and said end effector axis are aligned when said end effectoris in said unarticulated position, and wherein said end effector axis isorthogonal to said shaft axis when said end effector is in saidarticulated position.
 16. The surgical instrument assembly of claim 12,wherein said end effector further comprises a staple cartridge includinga cartridge body and a plurality of staples removably stored in saidcartridge body, wherein said drive system comprises a firing driveconfigured to eject said staples from said staple cartridge.
 17. Thesurgical instrument assembly of claim 16, wherein said end effectorfurther comprises a closure drive configured to move said first jawbetween said open position and said closed position, wherein saidclosure drive comprises a motor positioned on said end effector.
 18. Thesurgical instrument assembly of claim 12, wherein said first driveportion comprises a first rotatable shaft and a first bevel gear mountedto said first rotatable shaft, wherein said second drive portioncomprises a second rotatable shaft and a second bevel gear mounted tosaid second rotatable shaft, wherein said first bevel gear is not meshedwith said second bevel gear when said end effector is in said firstposition, and wherein said first bevel gear is meshed with said secondbevel gear when said end effector is in said second position.
 19. Asurgical instrument assembly, comprising: a shaft; an end effector,comprising: a first jaw; and a second jaw, wherein said first jaw ismovable relative to said second jaw between an open position and aclosed position within a closure plane, and wherein said first jaw ismovable relative to said second jaw about a closure axis; and anarticulation joint rotatably connecting said end effector to said shaft,wherein said end effector is rotatable within an articulation plane,wherein said closure axis is distal to said articulation joint, andwherein said articulation plane is co-planar with said closure plane.